Lawmakers in Thailand's lower house of Parliament have made history by overwhelmingly approving a marriage equality bill. This groundbreaking decision paves the way for Thailand to become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for marriage partners of any gender.
The bill, which passed its final reading with an impressive 400 out of 415 members of the House of Representatives in favor, marks a significant step towards inclusivity and equality. Only 10 members voted against it, with two abstentions and three not voting.
The key amendment in the bill involves changing the terminology in the Civil and Commercial Code from “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners.” This change is set to provide LGBTQ+ couples with access to full legal, financial, and medical rights.
Following its approval in the lower house, the bill will now proceed to the Senate for further review. It is worth noting that the Senate rarely rejects legislation that has passed the lower house. Once approved by the Senate, the bill will then be presented to the king for royal endorsement.
If the bill receives the royal endorsement, Thailand will make history as the first country in Southeast Asia to enact such a progressive law. This move would also position Thailand as the third country in Asia, following in the footsteps of Taiwan and Nepal, to legalize marriage equality.
